Ceramic Glaze Thermal Expansion Calculator
Ceramics & materials engineering: Calculate thermal expansion mismatch (Δα), glaze residual compressive stress, crazing versus shivering boundaries, and glaze fit.
Ceramic Body & Glaze Properties
Glaze Fit & Residual Stress State
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should a ceramic glaze always be under slight compression?
Like all brittle glassy materials, ceramic glazes are roughly 10 times stronger in compression than in tension. Placing the glaze into mild compression (20 to 60 MPa) pre-stresses the ceramic surface, closing microscopic flaws and requiring higher external tensile bending forces to initiate fracture, thereby boosting overall product strength.
What is the chemical cause of glaze crazing?
Glaze crazing occurs when the thermal expansion coefficient of the glaze exceeds that of the ceramic body (α_glaze > α_body). Upon cooling from the kiln, the glaze contracts more than the rigid substrate underneath and pulls itself apart into a network of tension cracks. High sodium and potassium fluxes (Na₂O, K₂O) expand greatly and promote crazing, whereas silica (SiO₂) and boron (B₂O₃) lower CTE.
What is glaze shivering (peeling) and why is it dangerous in tableware?
Shivering occurs when the body shrinks far more than the glaze upon cooling (α_body ≫ α_glaze), creating intense compressive buckling stress in the glaze. The glaze shears off along rims and handles, shedding razor-sharp glassy flakes that can contaminate food, creating a severe product liability hazard in domestic dinnerware.